When PopCap first set out to create Plants vs. Zombies we very much doubt that even in their wildest dreams would their twee little “flower defence” game be transformed into third person shooter.

A shoot’em up powered by Battlefield 4‘s Frostbite 3 engine, no less.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare is an announcement from E3 that we really didn’t expect. We’re incredibly intrigued – if PopCap gets it right, it could be the freshest feeling shooter around.

It’s a class-based affair, offering 24 player online battles along with four-player co-op modes, including one likened to Gears of War’s horde mode. As well as new plants and zombies, existing ones can be customised to give them that personalised touch.

The trailer does a very good job of filling us with confidence that it’ll retain the look and feel of a PvZ game:

Going by the early footage you’ll be able to unleash a giant zombie onto the opposition’s garden gang. We also spotted the cactus – who’ll act as a sniper – and a ‘chomper’ plant that can swallow zombies whole.

Xbox One will be the first console to sprout a version, with an Xbox 360 version to follow. PC and PlayStation versions are also panned.

It’s not due out until the Spring, but worry not – we only have to wait until mid-July to get another PvZ fix, in the form of the free-to-play Plants vs. Zombies 2.

Matt is Games Asylum's most prolific writer, having produced a non-stop stream of articles for the site since 2001. A retro collector and bargain hunter, his knowledge has been found in the pages of tree-based publication Retro Gamer.